Year: 2008 Source: Archives of Suicide Research, v.12, no.3, (2008), p.232-237 SIEC No: 20080698

This study compared competence in assessing & managing suicidal patients in different groups of Italian professionals. 38 psychiatrists, 50 general practitioners, 34 psychiatric nurses, 60 doctors & nurses working in accident & emergency services, & 50 medical students participated. Exposure to suicidal patients was found to be widespread in all groups, but specific training in suicide assessment & intervention was conspicuously rare. Psychiatrists outscored all other groups & psychiatric nurses scored significantly higher than general practitioners in identifying appropriate responses to suicidal pateints. Findings suggest the necessity of further training. (29 refs.)